Her customers are mostly Japanese and South Korean tourists and some of them make large orders every two or three months. The latest one was for $20,000 worth hand-embroidered bags by a Korean customer who had bought one.

She said many shops used to sell Chinese products, but have switched to Vietnamese to ensure quality.

"All my products are made in Vietnam and, in many stages, by hand."

She said the shop sells popular products at cheaper prices than at markets, but survives by also selling high-end products like hand-beaded slippers that sell for around VND450,000 ($21), grass bags for VND450,000-670,000, and some intricately embroidered bags for as much as VND4 million.

Figures from the city tourism department show that tourism revenues in December increased by more than 15 percent last year to VND18 trillion ($854 million).